Keywords
Academic libraries; library spaces; student learning; Kenya
Description
The Kenyan university education system has experienced tremendous growth and expansion in the recent past. One major requirement for accreditation by the Commission for University Education is that a university must have a library befitting its student population and the diversity of its degree programs. To qualify for accreditation, demonstrate quality and attract students, many universities have had to put up new library buildings or expand/restructure existing ones. While it may be obvious that this is a chance to design the buildings with the 21st century learner in mind, many libraries continue to borrow and extend the traditional library model, which was largely collection focused. This paper will look at the recently re/designed library spaces and seek to find out the extent to which these spaces cater for today’s learner. Since the current information universe is becoming increasingly technological, the paper will cover how technology has been infused in these spaces to support student learning now and in the future. Response to the not so new Information/Research Commons concept and the increasing need to align library services to the core university mission which is student learning will also be assessed. This paper provides ideas and suggestions on how academic libraries in the developing countries can repurpose and refocus their spaces to allow and encourage exploration, collaboration, discussion and creation of new knowledge. The library space itself ought to contribute to the learning process.
Considerations in the design of ‘new’ academic library spaces in Kenya
The Kenyan university education system has experienced tremendous growth and expansion in the recent past. One major requirement for accreditation by the Commission for University Education is that a university must have a library befitting its student population and the diversity of its degree programs. To qualify for accreditation, demonstrate quality and attract students, many universities have had to put up new library buildings or expand/restructure existing ones. While it may be obvious that this is a chance to design the buildings with the 21st century learner in mind, many libraries continue to borrow and extend the traditional library model, which was largely collection focused. This paper will look at the recently re/designed library spaces and seek to find out the extent to which these spaces cater for today’s learner. Since the current information universe is becoming increasingly technological, the paper will cover how technology has been infused in these spaces to support student learning now and in the future. Response to the not so new Information/Research Commons concept and the increasing need to align library services to the core university mission which is student learning will also be assessed. This paper provides ideas and suggestions on how academic libraries in the developing countries can repurpose and refocus their spaces to allow and encourage exploration, collaboration, discussion and creation of new knowledge. The library space itself ought to contribute to the learning process.